Cleaner for typewriter type and the like



Oct. 7, 1941. N. DODDS} 2,258,547

CLEANER FOR TYPEWRITER TYPE AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 17, 1939 Elma/M011 Patented 7,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE enema son di its TYPE AND ms I Nugent Dodds, Washington, D. 0. Application October 17, 1939, Serial No. 299,905

Claims.

ings as appears from United States Patent 1510.,

After much experiment, I have perfected an article oi. simple construction, including a standard cleansing plastic, which may be simultaneously applied to and removed from several type characters in a single continuous operation, without contactof the fingers therewith, positively dislodging and completely removing all extraneous materials from the characters.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner constructed in accordance with my invention, the plastic mass being shown separated from the receptacle,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the plastic holding receptacle, showing the plastic mass mounted therein in side elevation,

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the receptacle inverted illustrating the position assumed by the plastic mass under pressure on the handle of the receptacle, and

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the type cleaner of my invention illustrating its application, dotted lines' being shown to disclose the permissible displacement of the handle for working the mass into the type.

In order to illustrate the application of my invention a type bar 5 is illustrated in Fig. 4, the bar being of standard construction and equipped with conventional type characters 6.

The device of my invention consists of an inherently yieldable handle equipped receptaclel, the body of which is formed to provide a cup I, the bottom of the cup tapering to provide an intermediate constricted portion 9, the constricted portion issuing into a substantially spherical terminal ill. It will be noted, especially upon reference to Fig. 2 of the drawing, that the bottom of the cup 8 is open and a wider recess ll formed within the constricted part or wall 9 of the receptacle, the recess terminating just within the spherical terminal or head ill of the handle.

.An adhesive plastic mass I2 is mounted in the cup 3 and is susceptible of being expanded under pressure. In view of the adhesive character of themes there is no possibility of it being casually displaced from the receptacle. Furthermore, in view of the yieldable characteristic of the receptacle l, the cup 8 will flex under pressure on the cleansing mass, somewhat as illustrated in Fig. 3. The plastic mass is of course permitted to enter the recess II, the depth of entry depending largely upon the force or pressure apthe plied to the handle of the receptacle when cleanser is in use.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, when cleaning the type characters the plastic mass is urged against the characters and, if necessary, the handle of the receptacle flexed in different directions so as-to work the mass into the recesses of the type characters. After this flexing of the handle, the latter is moved away from the characters to withdraw the plastic mass from the recesses of the latter. By use of this device, I have found that several type characters may be simultaneously cleaned in a single continuous operation and consequently all the type of a standard typewriter may be effectively cleaned in an almost negligible period of time. I have found that excellent cleansing results may be obtained by using .the device of this-invention in a daubing operation on the type character's.

The device of this invention contemplates the use of a simple, inexpensive type cleaning article or implement, such as herein shown, the cost of which is almost negligible. However, it further contemplates the reuse of this device in repeated operations, this being permitted by reason of the peculiar formation of the receptacle herein employed. For instance, after use of this device to a point where the contacting surface thereof has become impregnated with extraneous materials removed from the type recesses, these materials may be kneaded inwardly in the type mass. The kneading operation is eifected without contact of the fingers of the operator with the mass-particularly without contact with that portion of the mass last soiled by use; It is only necessary that pressure be exerted around the outer periphery of the brim of the cup 8, in

repeated operations, until the soiled surface of the mass has been buried into the body of the mass. After the device has again been used, the soiled surface may be interred in the mass as already herein described; and will, with repeated use, circulate toward the bottom of the cup and finally reappear at the edges of thecup after there has been ample time for the ink to disintegrate into the mass and the extraneous debris to become thoroughly incorporated therein. Preferably, the plastic mass is light in color so that discoloration due to the extraneous materials picked up from the type may be quickly detected avoiding the possibility of reusing the Cleanser when soiled. The flngers are protected from contact with the cleansing mass primarily by reason of the handle at one end of the receptacle. In addition the brim of the cup will flex outwardly to provide a shield when suflicient pressure is exerted on the handle.

It is to be understood that various changes may be made herein within the details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A type cleaner comprising a holder embodying a cup the bowl of which is continuously flaring, a plastic cleansing mass mounted in the cup and protruding beyond the wall of the latter,

the mass being adhesive to prevent its casual cup to the marginal edge of the latter, and a.

plastic mass mounted in the cup and adapted for operative engagement with the type, under application of pressure on said cup, to remove extraneous materials from thetyp said mass being compressible through the wall of the cup tor kneading the used surface of the mass into the interior of the latter.

3. A type cleaner comprising an elastic cup the inner face .01 the wall of thebowl being smooth throughout, a plastic cleansing mass mounted in said cup bowl, the mass being adhesive to positively prevent relative movement of the cup and mass except under operating pressure. said cup bowl flaring from its base to its marginal edge to permit uninterrupted passage of extraneous materials through the mass and outwardly along said inner face of the cup bowl.

4. A typewriter type cleaner including a flexible cup the bowl of which is continuously flaring, a plastic cleansing mass mounted in the cup and protruding beyond the wall of the cup bowl, said mass being compressible while mounted in the cup bowl, for kneading the used surface of the mass into the interior of the latter.

5. A type cleaner comprisingan inherently yieldable handle-equipped receptacle the body of which consists of a cup, the base of the cup tapering to provide an intermediate constricted portion, and an adhesive plastic cleansing mass mounted in said cup.

NUGENT DODDS. 

